Argumentative Synthesis of The Simpsons, South Park, and Social Satire The question of immigration had been one of America’s biggest issues since the 1500s. Mass immigration began in the late 1600s and became uncontrollable for the native population to control. In fact, many began to move west where opportunity existed. After the ratification of the Constitution in 1789, the question of immigration died down until the Irish and German immigration wave in the mid-19th century. Today, immigration is no longer a major issue, but illegal immigration is. All through the late 20th and early 21st century, many Latin Americans began to come to the US, undocumented. Media and government address the issue of illegal immigration in many different ways. The government is usually strongly against illegal immigration and some politicians make it the issue of their campaigns. The media, on the other hand, may vary in their views on the issue. South Park and The Simpsons both satirize the issue of illegal immigration in their own different way. South Park addressed the issue of illegal immigration in a rather peculiar way. In the South Park episode Goobacks, the producers show people from the future traveling to South Park and taking jobs for cheap. The statistics say that if one can come then many can and will as well. In Goobacks, the first time traveler appears and explains the situation of Earth in the future, how the economic, and environmental problems are way out of hand.
For many decades the history of the United States and immigration has always been a very talked about topic of debate. Many Americans did not like the collision that immigrants would have upon the native-born American people, while others welcomed the flow of people as adding to America’s multiculturalism of difference. According to Immigration: Good or Bad for America (2016), a large amount of immigrants try to enter the U.S. borders without proper documentation, in this manner being labeled as illegal immigrants. In addition, the United States unusual position as a nation of immigrants is being questioned by
Immigration has played a large role in the history of the United States since the very founding of the country. As even the founding fathers of the United States were immigrants coming to the U.S. to seek a better life. For varies reasons, immigrants have been traveling to America to seek a better life whether to achieve better economic opportunity, religious freedom, and/or political refuge (Jiménez). These reasons have caused immigrants to flood into the U.S. In the most recent years’, weather to allow immigration to keep going as it is has been a hot topic for America. This controversy over immigration has grown as Americans continue to wonder if immigration is still good for the country. Therefore, the immigration controversy has many Americans
But one prevalent issue that has continued to be the source of much controversy is immigration. Founded on immigration this issue is not new to this country. Although it’s an issue that has been around for many years the mixed sentiments directed at it have only continued to become more prevalent. This may be due to the various perspectives from which it is viewed. The way in which an issue is looked at is influenced by various factors which become evident when the issue of immigration is discussed.
Immigration has been a topic of great discussion and controversy even before this year’s election. In recent years, illegal immigration has been the focus of these discussions, but other forms of immigration exist. Immigrants also immigrate through legal processes.
Illegal Immigration has always been a problem in America and dates back to the twentieth century. It started with the banning of criminals and mentally ill who came from China. The first law was passed in 1870. It restricted residency to Asians and was only allowed to whites and African
One of the most defining traits for the United States of America is that the nation is one made up of immigrants, it is a basic building block that can not be overlooked, nor should it. That being said, it is important to countless citizens to be open when it comes to immigration, while keeping the country hospitable to its citizens for generations to come. However, this attitude to immigration is a fairly recent phenomenon in American history, especially in regards to immigrants coming in from non-Western European countries. With the introduction of the Immigration Act of 1965 and the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA) came about the changes to immigration policy that would forever change the face of the nation and create the diversity that has become a point of pride. The sentiment is not felt nationwide, however, as the immigration patterns brought about with these two acts has brought hostility as well, especially from those who feel that immigration is a threat to the country as a whole, specifically illegal immigration. Immigration, and its illegal counterpart, is an issue that defines this period in American history, and while it did not necessary start off targeting Mexican and Latino immigrants, it has very much been immortalized within the communities and become the face of immigrants to the nation as a whole.
The United States is known as a free country, and has become a popular destination for many to immigrate to. Along with this immigration, came many problems and controversy since the 1790s and still continues to raise concerns today. The immigration problems in the late 1800s and 1900s are very similar to today. This is evident in the different complications and disputes that occurred in the late 1800s and 1900s all the way to 2015.
While there are many different perspectives on whether the popular animated show The Simpsons depicts Christianity in a favorable, unfavorable or apathetic light, my personal opinion is that the signature satirical style of the show is actually a strategy to please the widest audience, whether religious or not -- presenting equal opportunity satire. Their unapologetic and unabashed way of making fun of anything and everything is what has allowed the show to continue for so many seasons and also allow the viewer to draw their own conclusions. The diverse characters represented in the series advocate a wide range of different perspectives, ranging from the atheistic to the theistic. In the 1992 episode, “Homer the Heretic,” where the plotline can be
The United States of America, a country created by immigrants, is currently facing what some consider to be an immigration crisis. As of 2012, there is over eleven million undocumented illegal aliens living inside the United States. Both the American public and the lawmakers elected to represent us are divided on the issue. Some people view the influx of immigrants crossing over the border from Mexico to America as a good thing while others view it as a disaster waiting to happen. Regardless of ones view on immigrants coming over, most people are in agreement with the idea that we must change the way we are currently dealing with illegal aliens.
Since the early 1990’s, the immigrant population in America has doubled to over 40 million. The population could be higher factoring in illegal immigrants with the number estimated to be over 11 million. Majority of these immigrants both legal and illegal are mainly from Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. Uncontrolled immigration has been blamed on loss of jobs, higher crime rates and housing problems in the US. While these immigrants play a unique role in the economy, the executive and the legislature have found it necessary to control the inflow of these immigrants for various reasons. A number of laws and immigration policies have been enacted to create order in this issue. How these laws are perceived by immigrants and the general American population has varied and has been a major topic for debate.
A hot topic in the 2016 presidential debates has been about illegal immigration, a subject of controversy in the U.S.; although this issue is not new. During the 1920s this issue concerned immigrants from Eastern Europe, while today it concerns immigrants of Central American and Middle Eastern descent. During the early 20th century, many felt that the new immigrants from Eastern Europe should be deported back to their home country as they feared they were bringing communist ideals with them. There was also fear the Catholics and Jews would interfere with the enforcement of prohibition (The 1920s: Introduction). Laws were eventually passed by congress to restrict immigration from that area, and soon businesses felt the effects of increased
Perhaps the most important reading from this class, I feel, is the Gray, Jones, and Thompson article on satire. Although the seemingly most popular article of the class, I argue that its popularity strives from a detachment of more traditional television sources, providing a new form of cultural engagement and citizenship. As trust in clear-leaing broadcasting systems fades, satire and parody emerges as substitute, filling in the spaces of discontent and misrepresentation felt by audiences. Shows like the Daily Show “defamiliarize” norms embedded into our social-political behavior, allowing a ‘step back’, as it were, and on an individual scale philosophically scrutinize them (Gray, 9). Most significantly, elements of satire and parody facilitates
Vigorous debates about immigration policy have been part of U.S. history since the first settlers began arriving from Europe (Novas, 1994; Kessler, 2001; Reichman, 2006). Those who favor more stringent restrictions on entry to the country, and greater penalties for violating those restrictions, argue that it is necessary for the safety and economic security of our nation and to preserve jobs for U.S. born workers (Camarota, 2011). Those who favor more leniency, and even amnesty for those in the U.S. without legal documentation, argue that the U.S. should maintain its standing as a nation of immigrants where everyone is welcome and where differences add value to the economy and our quality of life (National Council of La Raza, 2008). In today 's heated debates, immigrants from Mexico, Central and South America are most often at the center of the controversy (Camarota, 2011; National Council of La Raza, 2008) as sixty-two percent (62%) of undocumented immigrants living in the U.S. are originally from Mexico, and another twelve percent (12%) from other Spanish-speaking countries of South and Central America (Hoeffer, Rytina, & Baker, 2010).
Immigration is a controversial topic that has impacted our society for decades perplexed by policies media coverage, perceptions based on one’s own lack of knowledge, personal experiences and a host of other factors that influence how our society views immigrants and immigration policies. The United States is a diverse population of people and filled with experiences that come from various walks of life that contribute to enhancing our social culture, economic development, and cultural acceptance.
South Park is not agreeing or disagreeing with any side of the argument for immigration because they point out different aspects of each side including the positive. As portrayed in the show undocumented immigrants do help this country to be a better place by helping with the same jobs that people may not want to do. Some of these small jobs may include cleaning up around the house, helping with the front lawn, or even the backyard. This benefits Americans because the immigrants are willing to get paid less than an American worker may charge for. In South Park, Randy says to his son that the immigrants help with the work that people